An Apprecaition

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVI, Issue 2, 1 April 1927, Page 71

An Apprecaition

Mrs. Grace Neill has been well called the Grand Old Woman of New Zealand. As far as the nursing profession is concerned there is no doubt of it. Born m 1846, educated among thinking circles at Rugby, England, and mingling with the best educationalists of the day, she early absorbed habit of independent thought and developed broad and original views on life m general and on women's work especially. She often spoke of attending with her father the open air meetings of Joseph Arch and the turmoil and excitement caused by his opinions, now looked upon as only ordinarily democratic.

Her pure Highland parentage intensified her power of insight into the lives, of others, and to the end of her days she numbered among the interesting personalities that she had met, shepherds and dustmen, maids and postmen, into whose lives and points of. view she entered with a living interest. Wherever she went she left behind her a memory of geniality and kindly interest, so much so that many an acquaintance of half an hour m train or coach would make eager enquiries as to who was the tall red-headed woman m coat and skirt and nondescript hat — nondescript, perhaps, m hat and raiment, but far from so m face and figure: both were full of power, sympathy and kindliness, and sometimes an added interest would come of her habit of smoking acquired long before such was a fashion among women. Like so man)- women of her time the idea of entering into life outside of the home was anathema to her parents, and only grudgingly was consent given for her to take a nursing training. Florence Nightingale was pioneering m London then, and armed with an introduction to her, Miss Grace Campbell went to London and eventually made up her mind to go as a paying probationer at Charing Cross Hospital. The " paying probationer " does not exist now, but she helped bridge the gap from the " gamp " to the modern professional nurse as we know her. Mrs. Neill told many stories

of how the patients would try to beguile her with gin and twopences to modify the doctor's orders. Her training was extended to midwifery, and m that sphere also she. had lurid recollections — one of the grudgements against the trained nurse was that she did not ask her patients whether she wanted a living child — the custom being to meet the mother's wish by putting a wet cloth over the child's mouth before there was any chance of inspiration. Later, Miss Grace Campbell became Matron of the Children's Hospital at Pendlebury, and there she met and subsequently married the doctor with whom she ultimately migrated to Queensland, accompanied by her little son. Times were hard, and she turned her attention to journalism. Her work came under the notice of Sir Samuel Griffiths, who took the unprecedented and much criticised step of making her a member of a Royal Commission on Shop and Factory Labour. She established her reputation as an authority on that subject. Owing to the climate, Mrs. Neill left for New Zealand m 1893, and again entered upon journalistic work. Her reputation, however, quickly followed her, and she was made the first woman factory inspector under the newly constituted Labour Department. She was later borrowed by the New South Wales Government to report on the boarding out system for State children, and she was largely responsible for the system that is still m force there,

Shortly after her return she was transferred to the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Department of the New Zealand Government, and for many years was Dr. McGregor's only assistant — the writer was once present at a lively interview between these two — the lion-hearted, white-bearded old doctor and his fine, upstanding red-headed Highland compatriot — the clash of opinion and wit mellowed by an obvious mutual respect and friendship made it a never-to-be-forgot-ten occasion — the subject matter has faded out of memory. It was during this period of her life that Mrs. Neill was one day summoned to Mr. Seddon's office,

and he queried: What can be done m three weeks before Parliament meets to prove the good faith of the Cabinet m regard to the Midwives Act and Maternal Wellbeing?" Mrs. Neill after spoke of that hectic three weeks when a house had to be found, rented, cleaned and furnished, a matron and nurses appointed, and trainees found — and behold, the first training school for maternity nurses m New Zealand was m existence and named after Mr. Seddon's birthplace — St. Helens, m Lancashire. This little State Maternity " Home " fas it was called) was unique ; it afforded a practical demonstration of the principle that the provision of safe maternity was as much the duty of the State as any other branch of a Health Ministry — it was a nucleus of the whole system of St. Helens Hospitals now so well known throughout New Zealand. It was Mrs. Neill's influence that brought into being the Nurses' Registration Act of 1901, and the Midwives' Act of 1904, and those who study statistics will note that the gradual decline m infantile mortality began from those dates. Authorities abroad soon realised the soundness of policy embodied m these Acts. State registration of nurses is now a recognised Empire policy. That New Zealand was m the van of these reforms is due to her foresight and broad-minded view of the rightful relation of State and nurse. Mrs. Neill was one of the founders of the International Council of Nurses and was at the inauguration m London m 1899. She resigned from the New Zealand Government m 1906, and after some adventurous years m mining towns m America with her son, she returned to New Zealand and was an energetic farm wife for some time, combining reading and occasional journalistic sallies with

dairy work and gardening. The war brought her to town again and for some months she acted as Sister-in-Charge of the Children's Ward of the Wellington Hospital. Shortly after this she became the victim of a slowly developing arthritis and fibrositis, and her friends sorrowfully watched her gradually and grudgingly give up her activities one by one till she became a complete invalid, and even finally lost her sight — a terrible deprivation for one who had always been a 'gourmande' for books. Even m this condition she was constantly making new friends, young and old, and maintained her interest m people and events. Her spirit was a constant source of wonderment to all who knew her. She looked forward to her " Passing " as merely a great adventure, and her one wish was that there should be no " sadness of farewell " for those who were left. She died m August, 1926, m her 80th year, and was cremated at Karori Cemetery, Wellington. The Memorial. We are still awaiting possible suggestions for the memorial to Mrs. Grace Neill. So far the library seems to be the most feasible proposition, and is one which can be started m a modest way as soon as headquarters (preferably m connection with the Diploma of Nursing Course, when that is established) can be decided upon. It can then be added to from time to time, and thus keep green the memory of one who did so much for the nursing profession. In a late issue of the British Journal of Nursing we are glad to see a special obituary notice of " The Passing of a Foundation Member of the International Council of Nurses/ with high appreciation of one whose life work had been so valuable.